Chapter 110

For three days, Catherine and Henry stayed close, making the previous nights of abstinence seem pointless. Despite Alto’s grumbling about why they endured such hardship, Henry paid no mind. Surprisingly, the Chancellor and attendants, who were expected to be strict about protocol, ignored the couple’s sharing of a bed. Attendants would chuckle among themselves, watching Henry rush back to his quarters after a day’s work. A King so deeply in love with his wife was a beautiful sight. 

Henry, praised as the most handsome King in history, moved many attendants with his sincere heart. Some envied the Queen, believing she was the luckiest woman to receive such love from His Majesty.

With his good looks, strong build, and unwavering devotion to his wife, Henry was regarded as more legendary than a unicorn. Even his closest aides, Alto and Greg, never expected Henry to become so love-struck. When Alto first noticed Henry anxiously caring for Catherine’s feelings, he found it amusing. He thought Henry’s passion would fade over time, never imagining it would grow stronger.

Most knights he knew avoided settling with one woman, preferring to meet many. He half-believed their claim that it was a man’s nature to want more than one woman. But watching Henry, Alto realized those were just excuses for not experiencing true love or for failing to control their desires.

When one truly loves, they see no one else. It’s overwhelming just to focus on the one they love. Perhaps Henry and Catherine’s shared pain made their bond even more poignant. Regardless, Alto, closely observing them, genuinely blessed the beautiful couple, confident their love would last forever.

“Seeing His Majesty, Greg, doesn’t it make you want to marry?”

“What nonsense.”

“Many knights claim women are just fleeting pleasures, but seeing His Majesty proves their words are lies.”

“Stop talking nonsense. This isn’t the place.”

“No one’s listening. Even the guards are far away.”

“It’s not about who hears. I don’t want to talk nonsense during this sacred coronation.”

“Nonsense! I’m praising His Majesty’s true love. Watch your words, Greg.”

“Oh, be quiet.”

While most knights indulged in romantic escapades, rare ones like Greg avoided women, seeing them as distractions. Initially, Henry thought Greg was like that, but realized Greg simply hadn’t found the right person.

Annoyed by Alto’s chatter, Greg jabbed him with an elbow, making Alto cough mid-sentence.

“Shut your mouth. How can you talk so much during the coronation?”

“It’s not that I talk too much; you talk too little. Isn’t it stifling, Greg? I’ve always wondered how you live with your mouth shut.”

“Enough.”

“Oh, by the way, did you hear? Lady Richelle suggested His Majesty take a second wife.”

“Be quiet, really….”

“I am being quiet. No one else can hear me. Anyway, Lady Richelle’s suggestion was transparent.”

“…….”

“Of course, it won’t work. His Majesty is so devoted to the Queen. Look at him, he can’t take his eyes off her. It’s amazing.”

Greg sighed. The new King’s coronation had been going on for hours, and Alto, unable to contain his boredom, began chatting nonstop. Though he knew Alto was talkative, he hadn’t expected it even at the coronation. Greg decided to ignore Alto completely.

But he didn’t realize Alto just needed someone to listen.

Whether Greg responded or not didn’t matter to Alto.

“It’s absurd. She called him a half-noble, claiming Wiggins was her only son, and now, after His Majesty’s ascension, she’s changed her tune. It’s shameless.”

Indeed, Richelle was desperate to gain from Henry’s kingship. After all the harsh words she had for him, her sudden pride in the King being her son was laughable.

Hearing the rumors, Henry acted swiftly. He announced his cousin Andreas as the commander of the Leonard Knight Order to guard the border and stripped Richelle of the Leonard name. She was no longer part of the Leonard family. Richelle, denied the Leonard estate, applied for an audience with Henry multiple times, but was refused. Only Werner’s son Wiggins could use the Leonard name, not Richelle, who denied the family after Werner’s death.

Alto felt immense relief at Henry’s wise decision, singing praises of His Majesty, much to Greg’s annoyance.

“They look perfect together.”

Moments ago, Alto was criticizing Richelle, now he was in awe of the royal couple. His antics reminded Greg of his mischievous sister. Greg subtly shook his head, thinking Alto was hopeless.

The coronation was nearing its end. The Chancellor placed the crown on the King, knelt, and bowed, followed by the Duke crowning the Queen.

Henry I was officially crowned.

Memories of time spent with Henry flashed before Greg’s eyes. From joining the Leonard Knight Order, risking their lives on the battlefield, to the loveless wedding. Greg and Alto were there for all of Henry’s adult life.

“Everyone, rise.”

The Chancellor’s voice signaled the end of the coronation, and everyone stood. Knights lined up from the King’s position, nobles celebrating from a distance, and Leonard family members newly part of the royal family all congratulated Henry I.

As the final moment to greet the King approached, Henry made a sudden move. He stepped down, knelt before Catherine, and kissed her hand.

He asked her to be his wife again as a Queen, moving Catherine to tears before standing. Watching, Greg muttered to himself, wondering if this was the Commander he knew. Alto barely held back tears at Henry’s historic romantic proposal. Greg, planning to tease Alto, saw him wiping tears and quietly kept silent.

“Salute to King Henry I.”

The Chancellor announced the ceremony’s end. Everyone present shouted Henry’s name, wishing infinite blessings upon him and Catherine.

Among them, Duke Bertram sincerely wished their well-being.

Many nobles would still criticize him for achieving his goals by using his granddaughter. But as long as Henry and Catherine understood his sincerity, the Duke didn’t care.

After the coronation, the royal couple began their procession. Knights followed in formation, and people showered them with petals.

The happy future of the couple, and the child peacefully resting in Catherine’s womb, began to unfold.